[277] Elegy on King Henry the Seventh] From an imperfect broadside in the Douce Collection, now in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. This unique piece formerly belonged to Dr. Farmer, who has written on it, “Qu. the author of this Elegy? Per J. Skelton, tho’ not in his works?” to which Douce has added, “The Doctor is probably right in what he says concerning the Elegy on Henry the Seventh, which is a singular curiosity.”
At the top of the original is a woodcut, representing the dead king, lying on a bed or bier, crowned and holding his sceptre; on one side the royal arms, on the other the crown resting on a full-blown rose, which has the king’s initials in its centre.
Henry died April 21st, 1509: see note, p. 214.
VOX POPULI, VOX DEI.[278]
Mr. Skeltone, poete.[279]
To the Kinges moste Exellent Maiestie.[280]
I pray yow, be not wrothe
For tellyng of the trothe;
For this the worlde yt gothe